Most polls are well contended, with at least two sides vying closely with one another. This one, however, was not.

In what can truly be described as a landslide margin, MLive readers overwhelmingly voiced discontent in a poll posted Thursday with a probation sentence for Andrew Thompson, who admitted to killing a dozen-plus dogs in 2011.

Nearly 300 had voted by Friday morning, and more than 85 percent of those disagreed with Ingham Circuit Judge Paula Manderfield's punishment for Thompson. Some 13 percent said the sentence was suitable, while about 1 percent was undecided.

Votes were cast from 29 states across the country, according to our poll data. There were also some international voters, with people weighing in from Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden.

Meanwhile, commenters continued to excoriate Manderfield for what they perceived as overindulgent leniency.

Judge Manderfield, I have one question for you. When Mr. Thompson starts escalates to murder, and history of such people has shown, how will you feel, knowing you could have stopped it before it happen?

Manderfield on Wednesday sentenced Thompson, 24, to five years of probation, as well as 400 hours of community service. Thompson, a former Michigan State University medical school student, must also have no contact with animals, remain in psychological treatment, work at least 30 hours per week and pay several thousands of dollars in fines and restitution, Manderfield ruled.

Manderfield also sentenced Thompson to one year in the Ingham County Jail with credit for 107 days already served. The judge suspended the remaining balance of his jail term pending successful completion of probation.

But Michigan's judicial sentencing guidelines suggested a maximum nine-month jail sentence for Thompson, according to Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III. That's far less than the four-year prison sentence allowable for a felony animal abuse/torture conviction in Michigan.

Thompson could have been imprisoned for four years had Manderfield elected to punish him with the full might of the law. But in April he pleaded guilty to three felony charges of animal killing or torture. Thompson confessed to killing all the dogs authorities accused him of, but prosecutors merged all the charges into the three felony counts, a move that did not impact sentencing guidelines.

A conviction on one of the charges is punishable by up to four years in prison, but sentences for multiple convictions must be served concurrently, Michigan law stipulates. That means Thompson would have served at most four years in prison even if he had been convicted on all 13 counts.

Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said the those sentencing guidelines are the reason Thompson got off with what mean perceive as a slap on the wrist. The guidelines are authored by the state Legislature, which Dunnings said has effectively "hamstrung" the criminal justice system.

"So the Legislature passes this law and says it's up to four years for this charge, then they have a press conference and say they're protecting the citizens," Dunnings said. "But that was just for publicity purposes, because then they pass sentencing guidelines, which limit the judge's ability to impose sentencing."

Prosecutors requested Manderfield exceed the guidelines and sentence Thompson to two to four years in prison. Dunnings said his office was prepared to fight a litigious battle in the Court of Appeals, too, had Manderfield obliged.

This is a disgusting sentence. He should have definitely served time in prison for his behavior, he is a horrible threat to society. Forget the drug users, bank robbers, jaywalkers and auto thieves, I am not afraid of them. But someone who would do what he has done is very frightening. Hopefully, this judge will not be reelected.

Manderfield, however, is retiring from the bench and will not seek re-election. She announced in March she is hanging up the black robe to spend more time with her family. She was first elected in 1992.

The poll remains open. You are more than welcome and indeed invited to put in your 2 cents. And keep the conversation going in the comments.